Latest news with #Autocar
Auto Car
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Have your say - the best 25 cars of the last 25 years
Close We're a quarter of the way through the 21st Century, and in the last 25 years the car industry – and the cars we drive on the roads – have undergone a dramatic transformation. So for an upcoming special issue of Autocar we've decided to celebrate the 25 most significant cars of the past 25 years. The Autocar team has drawn up a list, featuring one car from every year from 2001 until 2025. We weren't looking for the best, fastest or biggest-selling: we've judged them purely by the impact they had on their firms, the industry and car buyers. You'll be able to read our picks in a special Autocar feature in September, but we're keen to hear what you think the most significant car from the past quarter century is. Is it the huge-selling Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf? A groundbreaking EV such as the Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model 3? The record-setting Bugatti Veyron or Lotus Evija? A retro comeback hit like the Mini hatch or Fiat 500? Or a high-riding sales smash such as the BMW X5 or Kia Sportage? Let us know what car you'd pick and why in the comments, and we'll run some of the best as part of our special feature.
Auto Car
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Musk drama means Tesla's cars need to be better than ever
Product testing doesn't exist in a vacuum and this is particularly true of cars. The key in your hand and the body of metal sitting in front of you are only there because a murky swirl of business and geopolitics made it possible. Often this context is outwardly dull and you can largely ignore it. Sometimes it's unbelievably interesting and you need to remind yourself to focus on the car. I'm thinking about the product-business-politics ecosystem now because in a couple of weeks we're giving the new Tesla Model Y the full Autocar Road Test, in what should be the popular Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive form. As ever, it will be fascinating to see exactly what Tesla – in many ways an era-defining success story that has always talked a big game about its technology leadership – can deliver. Efficiency and performance for years constituted a twin-pronged attack that few else could match as the brand dominated the sales charts. The cars' uniquely lounge-like atmosphere was also a much-loved Tesla hallmark. These days things are different. Tesla still sells strongly in its key markets but those sales are dipping and the company's public image has been in the wars. There's a growing body of direct competition that simply didn't exist three or four years ago (and much of it has adopted Tesla's minimalistic cabin layout, how very dare they.) Moreover, US legislation looks likely to kneecap a crucial revenue stream, as president Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' seeks to curtail emission-offsetting regulatory credits. Last year, Tesla made almost $3 billion from the sale of these credits; it's not chicken feed. It means the current product really has to stand up – right now, while it's still passably fresh and capable of swelling the coffers. In two years, Tesla's current line-up won't just feel a bit long in the tooth but outright elderly. Then you're probably into a downward cycle. Can't sell, can't invest, and all the while your regulatory-credit side-hustle has run out of road. We know that many people will never again grace a Tesla showroom or the company's website. Musk's political leanings and his role in the USAID shutdown, the humanitarian fallout from which will only be revealed in years to come, aren't with commercial consequence. Those potential customers are lost to Audi, BYD and whoever else. But there are plenty more who will still buy a Tesla if it happens to be the car that best meets their needs and aspirations at the right price.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Ford admits it needs to lift its passenger car game
Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford needs to improve its passenger car offering according to Bill Ford, chair of the automaker his great grandfather Henry Ford founded in 1903. Speaking to Autocar, Mr Ford admitted the brand – which has taken a global approach to go heavy on pickups and SUVs – has neglected passenger cars. "On the passenger car side, we realise we're not as robust as we need to be," Mr Ford told Autocar when asked about a return to passenger cars which made the brand famous the world over. "We're working on our future strategy right now. But I think you'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised – by what's coming." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't announced any new passenger cars, nor suggested what area of the passenger car segment – hatchbacks, sedans, wagons or otherwise – it may step back into. A recent trademark filing for the Mach 4 nameplate indicated Ford may be planning to build a sedan version of the Mustang, like that which it reportedly showed to dealers in 2024. The only passenger car currently in the Blue Oval's showrooms Down Under is the Mustang, with 90 per cent of Ford Australia sales made up of the Ranger dual-cab ute and its SUV spinoff, the Everest. In Europe, Ford offers the Focus, but it exits production this year; in China, it has a new generation of Mondeo, which is exported to the Middle East as the Taurus. Earlier this year, Automotive News Europe said Ford global CEO Jim Farley, who reports to Bill Ford, issued a directive to its design and engineering teams to develop passenger cars. Ford of Europe has been responsible for some of its most lauded passenger cars, including the last Fiesta hatch/sedan, Focus hatch/sedan and Mondeo hatch/wagon sold in Australia. Those vehicles – like the Australian-made Falcon – saw their sales (and profitability) fall as SUVs grew in popularity around the world. In Australia, utes have also become hugely popular, with the Toyota HiLux and the Ranger having been at the top of the charts for a decade. Apart from the Mustang, Ford showrooms currently have little to offer driving enthusiasts. This comes despite the brand's impending return to Formula One in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. Mr Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, said late last year Ford would no longer make "boring" cars, hinting at a return to enthusiast and track-focussed models. He suggested the automaker wouldn't simply be making a return to its previous passenger car offering but instead would focus on the strength of its famous nameplates. "We'd always competed at the heart of the passenger-car market, which didn't work out too well for Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta," he told British publication Car. "They were loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation – unlike commercial vehicles. "Ford never funded enthusiast products – they were always a side business. Now with Mustang, Raptor and Bronco, they're our business." MORE: New Ford passenger cars on the way: could Fiesta and Focus return? MORE: Explore the Ford showroom Content originally sourced from:
Auto Car
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
First look at new £17k Renault Twingo as prototypes hit the road
The fourth-generation Twingo will arrive in mid-2026 as the new, sub-£17,000 entry point to Renault's expanding EV lineup and a direct rival to the upcoming Volkswagen ID 1. Spotted testing for the first time by Autocar spy photographers, the new city car will be launched seven years after its petrol predecessor was withdrawn from sale in the UK due to declining demand (just 877 UK sales in 2018). The new Twingo marks another significant step in Renault's EV advance and comes off the back of the successful Renault 5, which has carved a path for smaller, affordable EVs. A key selling point for the Twingo will be its sub-£17,000 starting price, which is part of a brief to create a 'fit-for-purpose urban vehicle with no compromise'. Notably, this undercuts the old Twingo Electric's starting price of €21,350 (£18,624) in 2021. This variant was introduced during the model's third generation but never sold in the UK. Its pricing will position it just above the £14,995 Dacia Spring and £15,995 Leapmotor T03 – the two cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK today – in a growing A-segment that will later be supplemented by the ID 1, Kia EV1 and a Nissan-badged variant of the Twingo. Renault will look to distinguish the Twingo from its rivals with a funky design – and our first sight of test mules reveals that the production car doesn't differ too much from the radical concept of 2024, which was inspired by the Mk1 Twingo of 1992. The car's look retains a similar bubble-like shape to the concept's, while under the camouflage, it appears to feature the same semicircular light design at the front and rear.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Ford: "Regulators got out ahead of customers" in EV transition
Ford says the move to electric vehicles (EVs) must be customer-driven, not pushed by regulators, as the automaker rolls out more EVs despite billions in losses. Speaking to British publication Autocar, Bill Ford – executive chairman of the automaker – said the move to EVs is important but there are lessons in what had not gone so well for the auto industry so far. "What went wrong is that the regulators got out ahead of the customers," Mr Ford told Autocar. "That's never a good situation. In the future, electrification will play a very important role in transportation, but it won't be the only part. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. "The ICE [internal combustion engine] business will be gradually phased out, but it won't disappear. What happens will vary according to region." Ford's electric division – named 'Model e' as a nod to its pioneering mass production of the Model T early last century – this week announced a Ford Ranger-sized electric pickup scheduled to go on sale in 2027. It will use a new affordable dedicated electric platform set to underpin a family of vehicles, and is expected to start at $US30,000 ($A45,800) – less than the starting price of a Ranger in the US, which is $US33,350 ($A50,900). The unnamed EV pickup has not been confirmed for Ford Australia showrooms, but the local arm has a direct link to Model e as it's run by previous Ford Australia president, Kay Hart. The push comes after Model e posted losses of US$5.1 billion in 2024 alone, and paused production of the F-150 Lightning EV and delayed its replacement until 2028. Ford also scrapped plans for a three-row EV SUV, instead investing in more short-term profitable F-Series Super Duty production. Locally, Ford Australia cancelled plans to introduce the electric Puma Gen-E SUV before dropping the Puma from its lineup entirely in 2024, while Mustang Mach-E electric SUV sales have slowed further despite significant price cuts. However, the company is adding the E-Transit Custom to join the E-Transit – as well as plug-in hybrid versions of the Transit Custom and Ranger – in local showrooms. "At Ford, we've invested in all of these clean technologies, and I feel good about that," Mr Ford said. "But it's down to customers. They want what they want, and it's our job to give it to them." MORE: Ford pivots to 'super affordable EVs', delays larger models MORE: Ford says large electric SUVs just don't work MORE:Ford Ranger-sized ute to debut Blue Oval's new affordable EV platform Content originally sourced from: Ford says the move to electric vehicles (EVs) must be customer-driven, not pushed by regulators, as the automaker rolls out more EVs despite billions in losses. Speaking to British publication Autocar, Bill Ford – executive chairman of the automaker – said the move to EVs is important but there are lessons in what had not gone so well for the auto industry so far. "What went wrong is that the regulators got out ahead of the customers," Mr Ford told Autocar. "That's never a good situation. In the future, electrification will play a very important role in transportation, but it won't be the only part. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. "The ICE [internal combustion engine] business will be gradually phased out, but it won't disappear. What happens will vary according to region." Ford's electric division – named 'Model e' as a nod to its pioneering mass production of the Model T early last century – this week announced a Ford Ranger-sized electric pickup scheduled to go on sale in 2027. It will use a new affordable dedicated electric platform set to underpin a family of vehicles, and is expected to start at $US30,000 ($A45,800) – less than the starting price of a Ranger in the US, which is $US33,350 ($A50,900). The unnamed EV pickup has not been confirmed for Ford Australia showrooms, but the local arm has a direct link to Model e as it's run by previous Ford Australia president, Kay Hart. The push comes after Model e posted losses of US$5.1 billion in 2024 alone, and paused production of the F-150 Lightning EV and delayed its replacement until 2028. Ford also scrapped plans for a three-row EV SUV, instead investing in more short-term profitable F-Series Super Duty production. Locally, Ford Australia cancelled plans to introduce the electric Puma Gen-E SUV before dropping the Puma from its lineup entirely in 2024, while Mustang Mach-E electric SUV sales have slowed further despite significant price cuts. However, the company is adding the E-Transit Custom to join the E-Transit – as well as plug-in hybrid versions of the Transit Custom and Ranger – in local showrooms. "At Ford, we've invested in all of these clean technologies, and I feel good about that," Mr Ford said. "But it's down to customers. They want what they want, and it's our job to give it to them." MORE: Ford pivots to 'super affordable EVs', delays larger models MORE: Ford says large electric SUVs just don't work MORE:Ford Ranger-sized ute to debut Blue Oval's new affordable EV platform Content originally sourced from: Ford says the move to electric vehicles (EVs) must be customer-driven, not pushed by regulators, as the automaker rolls out more EVs despite billions in losses. Speaking to British publication Autocar, Bill Ford – executive chairman of the automaker – said the move to EVs is important but there are lessons in what had not gone so well for the auto industry so far. "What went wrong is that the regulators got out ahead of the customers," Mr Ford told Autocar. "That's never a good situation. In the future, electrification will play a very important role in transportation, but it won't be the only part. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. "The ICE [internal combustion engine] business will be gradually phased out, but it won't disappear. What happens will vary according to region." Ford's electric division – named 'Model e' as a nod to its pioneering mass production of the Model T early last century – this week announced a Ford Ranger-sized electric pickup scheduled to go on sale in 2027. It will use a new affordable dedicated electric platform set to underpin a family of vehicles, and is expected to start at $US30,000 ($A45,800) – less than the starting price of a Ranger in the US, which is $US33,350 ($A50,900). The unnamed EV pickup has not been confirmed for Ford Australia showrooms, but the local arm has a direct link to Model e as it's run by previous Ford Australia president, Kay Hart. The push comes after Model e posted losses of US$5.1 billion in 2024 alone, and paused production of the F-150 Lightning EV and delayed its replacement until 2028. Ford also scrapped plans for a three-row EV SUV, instead investing in more short-term profitable F-Series Super Duty production. Locally, Ford Australia cancelled plans to introduce the electric Puma Gen-E SUV before dropping the Puma from its lineup entirely in 2024, while Mustang Mach-E electric SUV sales have slowed further despite significant price cuts. However, the company is adding the E-Transit Custom to join the E-Transit – as well as plug-in hybrid versions of the Transit Custom and Ranger – in local showrooms. "At Ford, we've invested in all of these clean technologies, and I feel good about that," Mr Ford said. "But it's down to customers. They want what they want, and it's our job to give it to them." MORE: Ford pivots to 'super affordable EVs', delays larger models MORE: Ford says large electric SUVs just don't work MORE:Ford Ranger-sized ute to debut Blue Oval's new affordable EV platform Content originally sourced from: Ford says the move to electric vehicles (EVs) must be customer-driven, not pushed by regulators, as the automaker rolls out more EVs despite billions in losses. Speaking to British publication Autocar, Bill Ford – executive chairman of the automaker – said the move to EVs is important but there are lessons in what had not gone so well for the auto industry so far. "What went wrong is that the regulators got out ahead of the customers," Mr Ford told Autocar. "That's never a good situation. In the future, electrification will play a very important role in transportation, but it won't be the only part. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. "The ICE [internal combustion engine] business will be gradually phased out, but it won't disappear. What happens will vary according to region." Ford's electric division – named 'Model e' as a nod to its pioneering mass production of the Model T early last century – this week announced a Ford Ranger-sized electric pickup scheduled to go on sale in 2027. It will use a new affordable dedicated electric platform set to underpin a family of vehicles, and is expected to start at $US30,000 ($A45,800) – less than the starting price of a Ranger in the US, which is $US33,350 ($A50,900). The unnamed EV pickup has not been confirmed for Ford Australia showrooms, but the local arm has a direct link to Model e as it's run by previous Ford Australia president, Kay Hart. The push comes after Model e posted losses of US$5.1 billion in 2024 alone, and paused production of the F-150 Lightning EV and delayed its replacement until 2028. Ford also scrapped plans for a three-row EV SUV, instead investing in more short-term profitable F-Series Super Duty production. Locally, Ford Australia cancelled plans to introduce the electric Puma Gen-E SUV before dropping the Puma from its lineup entirely in 2024, while Mustang Mach-E electric SUV sales have slowed further despite significant price cuts. However, the company is adding the E-Transit Custom to join the E-Transit – as well as plug-in hybrid versions of the Transit Custom and Ranger – in local showrooms. "At Ford, we've invested in all of these clean technologies, and I feel good about that," Mr Ford said. "But it's down to customers. They want what they want, and it's our job to give it to them." MORE: Ford pivots to 'super affordable EVs', delays larger models MORE: Ford says large electric SUVs just don't work MORE:Ford Ranger-sized ute to debut Blue Oval's new affordable EV platform Content originally sourced from:
